Denmark calls for full rights and participation of Afghan women at UN Security Council

At a UNSC meeting, Denmark’s UN representative emphasized that Afghan women must have full, equal, and meaningful participation in all aspects of life.

Denmark’s representative to the United Nations, Christina Markus Lassen, emphasized the importance of full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation for Afghanistan’s women in all public life and decision-making processes. She made these remarks during a UN Security Council meeting on March 17, highlighting the systemic exclusion of women by the Taliban regime.

Lassen underscored the need for the international community to recognize the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan, stressing that these abuses continue to worsen in Afghanistan.

Lassen further stated that the Taliban has systematically marginalized Afghanistan’s women, subjecting them to violence and discrimination. She called for global action to ensure that women are not only included in societal decisions but are also protected from further harm. The Danish representative noted that the UN Security Council’s message is clear: Afghanistan’s women deserve full and meaningful participation in all areas of public life, and their rights must be safeguarded.

According to Lassen, the international community’s collective voice through the Security Council has shown that the world has not forgotten the people of Afghanistan, particularly women who play an undeniable role in the country’s society. She warned that the ongoing repressive policies of the Taliban, including the systematic removal of women from public life, would only exacerbate the humanitarian and economic crisis in the country.

This meeting marks the second UN Security Council session focused on Afghanistan in the past week. It resulted in the extension of the mandate for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year. This extension underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing the country’s ongoing crisis, even as the Taliban regime continues its oppressive policies.

The global community has been vocal about the plight of women in Afghanistan, whose freedoms have been severely curtailed under the current administration. Women are denied access to education, employment, and public life, further deepening the societal and economic challenges faced by the country. International calls for accountability have intensified as the situation continues to deteriorate under the Taliban’s rule.

Denmark calls for full rights and participation of Afghan women at UN Security Council
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Islamic Emirate Reacts to Putin’s Remarks on Threats from Afghanistan

He asserted that Afghanistan’s geography is fully under Islamic Emirate control and poses no danger to any country.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, responded to recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential threats and challenges from Afghanistan. He asserted that Afghanistan’s geography is fully under Islamic Emirate control and poses no danger to any country.

Fitrat stated: “The entire geography of Afghanistan is under the control of the Islamic Emirate, and no threat or danger originates from Afghanistan towards any country. Therefore, such concerns are unfounded.”

He stressed that the Islamic Emirate has consistently sought good relations with neighboring countries, particularly northern neighbors, and has demonstrated this commitment through actions.

However, some political analysts believe that armed groups may still be present in Afghanistan, even without collaboration with the Islamic Emirate, which has caused concern for some countries, including Russia.

“Some Russian officials and analysts believe that such groups may still exist in Afghanistan in a scattered manner, even if they are not necessarily cooperating with the Islamic Emirate. This has led to ongoing concerns,” said Tariq Farhadi, a political analyst.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a joint press conference with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, reaffirmed Moscow’s awareness of security threats and challenges stemming from Afghanistan while emphasizing the need to secure Central Asia.

Islamic Emirate Reacts to Putin’s Remarks on Threats from Afghanistan
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UN tells Afghan rulers: no peace and prosperity until they reverse bans on women and girls

By EDITH M. LEDERER

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council told Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers Monday that peace and prosperity are “unattainable” until they reverse their bans on women and girls getting an education, being employed and speaking in public.

The U.N.’s most powerful body also condemned ongoing terrorist activity in Afghanistan “in the strongest terms” and called for strengthened efforts to address the country’s dire economic and humanitarian situation.

The council resolution, adopted unanimously by its 15 members, extended the U.N.’s political mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, until March 17, 2026.

The Taliban seized power in 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes them as Afghanistan’s government because of their crackdown on women.

Not only are women barred from working, from many public spaces, and being educated beyond the sixth grade, but they must be fully veiled and their voices cannot be heard in public.

The Security Council called for the Taliban “to swiftly reverse these policies and practices.”

U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, told the Security Council last week that it’s up to the Taliban to indicate whether they want Afghanistan to be reintegrated into the international system — “and, if so, whether they are willing to take the necessary steps.”

The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, posted a statement on his official X account this month saying the dignity, honor and legal rights of women were a priority for the country, in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture and traditions. Islamic countries and religious scholars have said that denying women education and work is not part of Islamic law.

Otunbayeva said Afghans “increasingly resent the intrusions on their private lives” by Taliban officials and fear the country’s further isolation from the rest of the world.

“They have indeed welcomed an absence of conflict, and greater stability and freedom of movement, at least for the male population,” she said. “But this is not a peace in which they can live in dignity with their human rights respected and with confidence in a stable future.”

More than half of Afghanistan’s population — some 23 million people — need humanitarian assistance, a humanitarian crisis caused by decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate shocks and large population growth, Otunbayeva said. She said a downturn in funding is having a significant impact.

In the past month, the U.N. envoy said, more than 200 health facilities have been forced to close, affecting some 1.8 million people, including malnourished children.

On another major issue, the Security Council called on the Taliban to strengthen efforts to combat terrorism, condemning all terrorist activity in Afghanistan and demanding that the country not be used to threaten or attack any other country.

Relations between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan have become strained since the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which is allied with the Afghan Taliban, have increased attacks on security forces in Pakistan. At the same time, militants from the Afghan chapter of the Islamic State group, which opposes the Taliban, have carried out bombings across Afghanistan.

 

UN tells Afghan rulers: no peace and prosperity until they reverse bans on women and girls
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OCHA warns budget shortfall threatens humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan

Khaama Press

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that from January to March 2025, meeting the basic needs in Afghanistan has faced serious challenges.

According to OCHA, since the beginning of 2025, there has been difficulty in providing essential services such as education, food, health, nutrition, and shelter due to a lack of funding. Many humanitarian activities have been delayed or disrupted because of insufficient financial allocations. The organization stressed the need for additional financial support to ensure the provision of these services, transportation, and other related activities.

The funding shortfall has complicated an already dire situation, as Afghanistan grapples with widespread economic and humanitarian crises. OCHA has warned that if financial resources are not secured, the basic needs of many vulnerable individuals in Afghanistan who rely on humanitarian aid will go unmet.

In response, local officials and humanitarian activists have repeatedly urged the international community to increase financial support for humanitarian projects in Afghanistan to address this crisis.

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross (ICRC) highlighted the rising numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to ongoing conflict and natural disasters, further straining the country’s fragile healthcare and infrastructure systems. The ICRC continues to provide medical assistance but has faced operational challenges due to funding shortages.

The World Food Program (WFP) also expressed concerns over food insecurity in Afghanistan, noting that millions of people face hunger amid the economic collapse. WFP’s country director in Afghanistan emphasized the need for more international aid to sustain food distribution programs, especially in rural areas. Reports indicated that nearly 50% of Afghanistan’s population is dependent on food assistance, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Additionally, UNICEF has raised alarms regarding the impact of the ongoing crisis on children, especially in terms of education and access to healthcare. According to reports, nearly 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are out of school, with many more at risk of malnutrition and disease. UNICEF continues to urge the international community to provide funding to address these children’s needs, warning that the future of an entire generation is at risk without immediate action.

OCHA warns budget shortfall threatens humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan
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UN Security Council extends UNAMA Mission in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

 

The United Nations Security Council has announced the extension of the mission of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). This decision reflects the ongoing international commitment to supporting Afghanistan during challenging times.

On Monday, March 17, the Security Council issued a message on X/Twitter, stating that the resolution to extend the UNAMA mission was unanimously approved for another year. All 15 members of the council cast affirmative votes, signaling collective international support for the mission.

The resolution includes a broad range of issues, including human rights, especially women’s rights, economic conditions, peace and security, combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and the situation of refugees. These areas are central to the mandate of UNAMA in Afghanistan, ensuring comprehensive assistance for the country’s recovery.

Previously, the Taliban had stated that the UNAMA mission in Afghanistan had not been effective. This criticism highlights the complexities and challenges faced by international organizations in their efforts to assist Afghanistan.

The continued extension of UNAMA’s mission underscores the global community’s commitment to Afghanistan’s stability and development, despite the ongoing challenges in the country. It is crucial for the international community to remain engaged and ensure that efforts focus on addressing the pressing issues such as human rights and security.

The success of such missions largely depends on collaboration with local authorities, effective implementation of policies, and addressing the unique needs of Afghan citizens, particularly vulnerable groups like women and refugees.

UN Security Council extends UNAMA Mission in Afghanistan
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Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Growing Uncertainty

Meanwhile, several refugee rights activists emphasize that host countries must adhere to their international commitments.

A number of Afghan refugees holding Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) in Pakistan have complained about increasing challenges in the country, stating that despite having these cards, their stay is legal and they should not be forcibly deported.

This comes as the Pakistani government has set March 31 of this year as the deadline for these refugees to leave the country.

“Refugees holding ACC cards are not illegal. They are Afghan refugees who have been living here for the past 25 years,” said Malik Awal Shinwari, one of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

“We hope that all responsible institutions and human rights organizations working in this field will come to the aid of refugees in Pakistan,” said Mohammad Reza Sazish, another Afghan refugee.

Meanwhile, several refugee rights activists emphasize that host countries must adhere to their international commitments.

“The UNHCR needs to hold a meeting with both sides and establish a clear policy regarding these refugees,” stated
Ehsan Khan Ahmadzai, a refugee rights activist.

At the same time, in addition to Pakistan, Afghan refugees in Iran and Turkey are also facing numerous challenges. The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly called on host countries not to politicize migration issues and to prevent the forced deportation of refugees.

Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Growing Uncertainty
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Torkham Crossing to Reopen Tomorrow After New Agreement

At the same time, analysts emphasized that Kabul and Islamabad must resolve disputes through dialogue.

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has announced that Afghan and Pakistani traders, along with tribal elders, reached an agreement today (Monday) to reopen the Torkham crossing.

According to officials from ACCI, Torkham will reopen tomorrow (Tuesday) for all types of movement under this agreement. Another meeting is scheduled for this evening to further coordinate and prepare for the reopening.

Zalmai Azimi, a trader, told TOLOnews: “A meeting was held today in Torkham between both sides. The decisions made were positive, and it is likely that the crossing will reopen today or tomorrow.”

At the same time, analysts emphasized that Kabul and Islamabad must resolve disputes through dialogue.

Political analyst Sayed Abadullah Sadiq said: “When Pakistan closes the crossing, it does not solve the problem; rather, it worsens it. Diplomatic engagement must be increased so that any issues can be resolved through negotiations.”

Political analyst Fazl Rahman Oria explained: “Afghanistan and Central Asian countries use the Torkham crossing for trade and economic purposes, and Pakistan also relies on this route. Therefore, its closure is a severe blow to the economies of Afghanistan and Central Asia.”

This comes after Pakistan closed the Torkham on February 21, 2024. Islamabad claimed that the closure was due to the construction of facilities by the Islamic Emirate.

Torkham Crossing to Reopen Tomorrow After New Agreement
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Life of British man, 79, imprisoned by Taliban is in serious danger, say family

Peter Reynolds and his wife, Barbie, 75, who run a training business in Afghanistan, were detained last month when they travelled to their home in Bamiyan province.

Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, said her father’s health had “significantly deteriorated” after the couple were separated and moved to a high-security prison.

“We hear he now has a chest infection, a double eye infection and serious digestive issues due to poor nutrition,” she said.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Entwistle said: “Without immediate access to necessary medication, his life is in serious danger.” He requires pills for his heart after he had a mini-stroke before he was detained.

Entwistle said the family had been told that Reynolds was in immense pain after being “beaten and shackled”.

In a direct plea to her parents’ captors, she added: “Our desperate appeal to the Taliban is that they release them to their home, where they have the medication he needs to survive.

“We believe this request should be viewed not merely as a plea, but as a unique opportunity to demonstrate an unforgettable act of kindness that will resonate around the world.”

The couple’s business, Rebuild, has run projects in schools in Afghanistan for 18 years and continued after the Taliban regained power in 2021. Barbie previously became the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Taliban.

The pair were arrested on 1 February with an American-Chinese friend, Faye Hall, who had rented a plane to travel with them, and a translator from Rebuild.

The reason for their detention remains unclear. Entwistle suspects it was because they were teaching mothers with children.

The previous Taliban regime, before it was toppled by the US-led invasion in 2001, had accused the couple of teaching against Islam, but this case was dropped. The family said their parents respected Taliban rule and had adapted to the imposition of strict Islamic laws.

Hopes were raised in late February that the couple would be released.

In a statement reported by the BBC, the Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani said: “A series of considerations is being taken into account and, after evaluation, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible.”

He added that the three foreign nationals had Afghan passports and national ID cards.

Qani’s statement drew a cautious welcome from Entwistle, who told the Times: “It’s the first thing we’ve heard from the Taliban, so it’s really positive, but he’s really not saying very much. We know they were investigating to see if they were teaching anything against Islam, so that was a relief to us as we knew they wouldn’t be.”

She added: “Next thing we heard, the investigation was because they’re teaching parenting skills to mothers over the age of 30, with their children. Apparently, that was now against the law, but none of the influential people in that village [Bamiyan] thought it was a problem.”

The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath, married in Kabul in 1970 after travelling there as part of an academic placement scheme. They became Afghan citizens after returning to the country 30 years later to set up Rebuild.

The couple’s family initially did not want the UK government to get involved with the case.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan.”

Life of British man, 79, imprisoned by Taliban is in serious danger, say family
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Author says ban on her book reflects Taliban’s repression of women

Books by Afghan and Pakistani authors are displayed in a store in Peshawar, Pakistan, March 14, 2025. The Taliban have banned 400 titles in Afghanistan.
Books by Afghan and Pakistani authors are displayed in a store in Peshawar, Pakistan, March 14, 2025. The Taliban have banned 400 titles in Afghanistan.

When Naveeda Khoshbo published her book of political analysis in 2019, she received widespread praise and recognition.

For many, “it was the first time that they were reading a book written by a young woman,” she said.

So, when she received a text message from a friend and fellow journalist in November 2024, telling her the Taliban had banned her book, she was shocked.

Khoshbo, 33, said she can’t figure out why the book, “Siyasi Jaj” or “Political Analysis,” was banned, saying “it did not address any sensitive topics.”

Published by the Peace Publish Center in Kabul, her book covers political events and processes from 2001 to 2019.

But last year it was included in a list circulated on social media of more than 400 books banned by the Taliban.

The list covers a range of topics: democracy, the arts, literature, poetry, history, religion, governance, rights and freedoms.

The Taliban’s deputy minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Zia-ul Haq Haqmal, told media his department had identified 400 books deemed “against Afghanistan’s national interest and Islamic values.”

‘Hostility is directed at women’

Khoshbo believes her book also was banned because it was written by a woman. She is now based in London.

“I believe their hostility is directed at women, and for them, the books written by women are the first to be targeted, regardless of their content,” she said.

About a dozen titles in the book ban are by women, or they were translated by women. Other titles include the book by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, “I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education.”

The Taliban, who seized power in August 2021, have imposed strict measures against women in Afghanistan, barring them from education, work, long-distance travel and participating in public life.

UN urges Taliban to end restrictions on girls on International Women’s Day

Afghan writer Nazeer Ahmad Sahaar told VOA the Taliban jettison anything they see as contrary to their ideology.

“Anything that is against the Taliban’s political and religious beliefs and narrative is banned under the Taliban,” said Sahaar.

The author has written more than a dozen books. One of those, “Waziristan: The Last Stand” is also on the list of banned publications.

Sahaar sees the book ban as part of a larger crackdown on “women, the press and freedom of expression.”

Sahaar said the ban on books, though, is of little surprise.

“It was evident that they would impose restrictions in many areas,” he said.

Alongside the book ban and restrictions imposed on women, the Taliban return has led to restrictions on freedom of expression.

Media outlets work under rules that are not always clear about what can and cannot be covered, and in some cases must submit coverage for review before publication.

The Taliban also imposed restrictions on printing books.

An owner of a printing press in the eastern province of Nangarhar, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told VOA that the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture instructed publishers not to print anything without prior permission.

“In a meeting with publishers, the Taliban officials said that ‘if you are publishing any book, you must first obtain permission from the directorate,'” said the business owner.

The owner said that businesses are struggling under the Taliban, but there is an increased demand for books, particularly ones that are banned.

“The Taliban’s restrictions have sparked social and cultural resistance,” he said, with people seeking ways to oppose the limitations, including by reading prohibited books.

‘It reflects the fear’

Abdul Ghafoor Lewal, an Afghan writer and former diplomat, told VOA the Taliban’s actions reveal fear of any opposition.

“It reflects the fear authoritarian regimes have of freedom of expression, books and knowledge,” said Lewal.

Khoshbo said the Taliban’s ban would not stop her and other women from writing and participating in social and political life.

“The Taliban can’t suppress our voices by “banning books,” said Khoshbo, but “women can’t be erased from society and politics.”

Author says ban on her book reflects Taliban’s repression of women
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Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan

 Locator map of Sibi, in Balochistan province, Pakistan
Locator map of Sibi, in Balochistan province, Pakistan

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Pakistan’s assertions “baseless,” in a statement Thursday.

“We categorically reject baseless allegations by Pakistani army spokesperson linking attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement posted on X.

Militants linked with the banned Baloch Liberation Army attacked a passenger train Tuesday near Sibi, Balochistan, taking hundreds hostage.

Militants attack train, take hostages in Pakistan’s Balochistan province

At least 21 passengers and four paramilitary troops died in the attack. The military claimed the killing of 33 terrorists.

During a visit to Quetta for a high-level security meeting Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told media 339 passengers were rescued.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Pakistani military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations, had earlier said attackers collaborated with partners in Afghanistan.

“During the operation, these terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phone,” Chaudhry told a private news channel as he declared the clearance operation over Wednesday night.

Later, the military’s media wing reiterated the assertion.

“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with terrorists throughout the incident,” a statement from the ISPR said.

Rebutting the claim, Balkhi said Islamabad must address internal issues.

“[We] urge Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security and internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks,” the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson said..

Tuesday’s attack marked a dramatic escalation in the separatist insurgency that has ravaged Balochistan for nearly two decades.

The militants blew up tracks, bringing the train with nearly 450 passengers to a halt in a tunnel, where they stormed it.

Survivors told VOA the attackers singled out security personnel and ethnic Punjabi passengers, shooting many.

Eyewitnesses give harrowing account of Pakistan train attack

“Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” the military said in written comments to the media Wednesday, repeating an increasingly frequent demand.

On Thursday, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, repeated Islamabad’s stance.

“We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice,” Khan told media at the weekly briefing.

Balkhi rejected the allegation that Baloch separatists have put down roots across the border.

“No members of Balouch opposition have presence in Afghanistan, nor have they ever had or have any links with the Islamic Emirate,” Balkhi said in his post on X. The Taliban refer to their government as the Islamic Emirate.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorism in the last year, with deaths rising by nearly 45% in 2024 from the year before.

The country now ranks second on the Global Terrorism Watchlist with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army emerging as the deadliest outfits.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan this week, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, said Kabul was failing to rein in Baloch separatists.

“The Kabul authorities have failed to address the threat posed to the region and beyond by other terrorist groups, such as al Qaida, the TTP and Baloch terrorists, including the BLA and the Majeed Brigade, which are present in Afghanistan,” the Pakistani envoy said Monday.

Afghanistan denies link to train attack in Pakistan
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